Local minister indicted for tax evasion charges

COVINGTON, KY (FOX19) - A Union, KY minister was indicted on Thursday by a federal grand jury for attempting to evade thousands of dollars in income taxes.

The indictment alleges Ronald E. Weinland, 62, attempted to evade taxes in the amount of $357,065 over a period of five years starting in 2005.

Weinland's alleged acts of evasion included filing tax returns, understating his gross income, using church funds for personal expenses and failing to claim those funds as income on his income tax returns, and failing to report the existence of a bank account in Switzerland. He also allegedly failed to report any interest made on that account as income.

Weinland is a minister at the Church of God – Preparing for the Kingdom of God. According to their website, the church believes that Jesus Christ will return to Earth on May 27, 2012. He is also author of the books The Prophesied End-Time and 2008 - God's Final Witness.

Weinland faces up to five years in prison for his crimes.

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